Find out how popular the last name Yelm is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Yelm.

Yelm, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Yelm surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Yelm in America

Yelm is the 126765th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Yelm surname appeared 135 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Yelm.

We can also compare 2010 data for Yelm to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Yelm

The surname Yelm has its origins in the Scandinavian countries, specifically from the region that encompasses modern-day Sweden and Norway. It is believed to have emerged during the late Viking Age, around the 10th to 11th centuries. Linguistically, the name is thought to be derived from the Old Norse word "hjálmr," which means "helmet" or "protection." This suggests that the original bearers of the name were likely warriors or individuals who held some form of responsibility for protection in their communities.

Historically, the name Yelm first appears in medieval Scandinavian records. One of the earliest mentions of a similar name is found in the Icelandic sagas, dating back to the 12th century, though with slight variations such as Hjalmr or Hjelm. These documents recount the tales of Norse heroes and chieftains, some of whom may have borne the name Yelm.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname in a more modern form is in the 14th century, when a Magnus Yelm is noted in Swedish tax registers of the time. Magnus Yelm (born 1327, died 1398) was a landowner in the region surrounding Uppsala. His property records indicate he was a person of considerable influence, likely involved in both local governance and military endeavors.

Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, the surname appears sporadically in various documents. In 1483, a Torbjörn Yelm is recorded as a merchant in Stockholm. He traded extensively with the Hanseatic League, indicating the commercial reach and significance of his endeavors. Torbjörn Yelm's business dealings were instrumental in the economic framework of Stockholm during a period of burgeoning international trade.

In the early 17th century, the name appears in Norwegian records with Lars Yelm, who was a notable figure during the Kalmar War (1611-1613). Lars Yelm (1591-1643) served as a captain in the Norwegian army, distinguishing himself in several key battles. His leadership and tactical acumen earned him recognition and a modest estate granted by the crown.

During the 18th century, the Yelm surname can be traced to rural parish registers. In 1749, Johan Yelm is listed as a prominent farmer and local magistrate in the Jönköping County of Sweden. Johan Yelm (1715-1782) played a crucial role in local administrative affairs and was known for his contributions to agricultural innovations in his district.

The early 19th century saw the name Yelm in a different context. Anders Yelm (1780-1854) was a well-known artisan and blacksmith in Gothenburg, Sweden. His craftsmanship in creating intricate and durable metalworks gained him considerable fame, and some of his works are displayed in museums today.

These historical references provide a glimpse into the widespread influence and varied occupations of individuals bearing the Yelm surname across Scandinavia. The name's strong associations with protection, commerce, military service, local governance, agriculture, and craft reflect a rich and diverse heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Yelm

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Yelm.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Yelm was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Yelm has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Yelm was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Yelm, please contact us.

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